Silence

Chapter 7: Adam?

Adam and the others are in their last period; it's about to end. "Are you ready to go back home, Adam? I know I am," Connie says. Adam nods in agreement. 

Connie tilts her head. " Are you alright?" she asks in sign language. "Yea. I'm just tired, that's all." Adam says in sign language. Ever since Adam told Connie about what had happened, he seems depressed. 

"Are you sure you're alright? You can tell me." Connie says in a sign and smiles. "I'll be fine. Thanks, Connie." Adam says in a sign and smiles. 

"Well, if you're sure," Connie says in sign language. Adam smiles and nods. Yeah, I'm fine, right? I know I'm fine. Everything's fine. I'm...fine.

-RRRIIINNNGGG-

"Alright, class. That's it for this week. Have a good weekend, and don't forget to turn in your slips for the trip next week. We're going to a massive cabin in the woods, and we will be there for a few days. So don't forget the slips, " the teacher said. 

When the teacher said that, a few students, including Adam, Connie, Brittany, and Luke, gave their slips to the teacher. 

With that, Adam and the others left the classroom and started walking towards the front gate. "Are you guys excited about the trip next week?" Luke asked. 

"Yea! It's going to be fun. I heard that the cabin and the people will split the boys and girls into different sections of the cabin." Brittany said. 

Luke's face showed a hint of sadness. "No kidding? Here I was, hoping to see you in your pajamas." Luke nudged Brittany's arm. 

Brittany laughs, "In your dreams, lover boy." Brittany elbows Luke in the gut. "Gah! A-At least...I gave it my all." Luke said. 

"Oh, calm down. I didn't even hit you that hard." Brittany said. What about you guys? Are you excited?" Brittany asked in sign. Yeah! It sounds like fun," Connie said in sign. 

"Yeah, I'm excited." Adam smiles. "Aw, it's going to be awesome! Connie and I might be able to hang out with other girls and talk about boys!" Brittany said. 

"For boys, you mean me, right?" Luke slights his hair back. "Yeah, sure, lover boy." Brittany laughs. "I can't tell if you're messing with me or telling the truth," Luke said. 

Brittany looks at Luke and smiles. "Guess you're going to have to wait to see, " Brittany laughs. "I have never felt so teased in my life, " Luke says.

Jesus, make out already." Adam laughs. Luke and Brittany look at each other, then at Adam, "Okay. C'mere Brittany." Luke walks over to Brittany with a kissy face. 

"Ew, no! Get away!" Brittany runs from Luke. "This is fun to watch," Adam says in a sign. Connie laughs. "That I can agree with," Connie says in a sign. 

"Do you think that they are hitting it off?" Adam asks in a sign. Connie looks at Brittany being chased by Luke. "Yea. Perfect couple," Connie says in a sign and laughs. 

"Ay, you two! I'm walking home now; We're at the gate." Adam says. Luke stops chasing Brittany and looks towards Adam. 

"Alright, man, I'll see you next week!" Luke said. Yeah, see you guys later!" Brittany said. Bye, guys." Adam waved bye at them. Aren't you gonna walk home to Connie?" Adam asked in a sign. 

"Yeah, my house is this way, too, so let's walk together!" Connie says, smiling, "Yeah, my house is this way, too." Adam nods in agreement. They start walking home together. 

"Are you excited about the school trip?" Connie asks in sign language. Yeah, it sounds fun. We all get to go together, so that's awesome." Adam says in sign language. 

"Yea! I'm happy we're all going," Connie says in a sign. Adam smiles. "So..Adam," Connie says in a sign. 

"Yeah, what's up?" Adam said in a sign. "About today...Are you sure you're alright? It seemed you wanted to be alone and not talk to anybody," Connie said in a sign. 

Adam smiles, "I'm fine, Connie. I just needed to get that off my chest. Thanks." Adam says in sign. But is that truly how you feel, Adam? You and I both know you didn't want to tell her that... 

"Of course, Adam. You know I'm always here for you," Connie says in a sign. "Thank you, Connie." Adam says in a sign, smiling.

I know you can hear me, Adam...You fucking idiot. "Alright, well, I should get going; I'll see you next week, Connie," Adam says in sign. 

"Hey, wait! Before you go..." Connie grabs Adam's arm. "Huh?" Adam says in sign language. Connie hugs Adam, and Adam is caught by surprise but hugs her back. 

"I'm glad you're here.." Connie says in sign. "Me too, Connie..me too," Adam says in sign. Are you? Or are you just lying to yourself, Adam? 

Adam lets go of Connie and looks at her. "Adam?" Connie says in sign. "I...I'm going to head home now! See you next week!" Adam says in the sign and runs off. 

 Connie waves bye to Adam, but he doesn't notice it. "Goddamn, it.." Adam said. What's wrong, Adam? Something you want to tell her? Oh..you can't, haha...Of course, you can't. 

"You're wrong!" Adam said. Oh Adam..You know I'm right. I mean...You and I are the same, after all. 

Adam bursts through his door and runs up the stairs. "Hi Mom, I gotta go to the bathroom!" Adam yells. His mom says, "Oh, all right, honey!" 

Adam runs to the bathroom and locks the door. He stares at himself through the mirror. 

Hey. It's been a while, Adam...You are no good fucking piece of trash.